Ms. Hamden
The Scarlet Letter review
Quiz Ch. 1-6
NAME:
1. How does Hawthorne introduce the Puritans? What symbols mark their society?
 The Puritans build prison and cemetery, and claim their society as pure however sin and death and
inevitable.
 The irony of the Utopia is that punishment is still needed.
 (Pg.45)”The founders of a new colony…”
2. What is Hester’s sentence? How do the townsfolk respond?
 Her sentence is to wear the Scarlet letter for the rest of her life, stand upon the scaffold for three hours
and spends time in jail.
 They think that her husband is at the bottom of the sea, two years have passed.
 The older women say that she should be branded or killed.
 One says that the whole treatment is enough, Hester will forever feel the pain in her heart. (Pg.51)”Not
a stitch of her embroidered letter…” Because her heart is broken and she will always be ashamed of
what she did.
 (Pg.57)The townsmen tells Chillingworth that the society is proud that “Iniquity is searched out and
punished in site of rulers and people.” Double standard present because people who sin, go unpunished.
The irony is that all people are sinners.
3. Discuss Dimmesdale’s involvement in the questioning of Hester. What does he say? How does she respond?
 Dimmesdale says “Be not silent from any mistaken pity or tenderness for him.” He is the co-adulterer.
He wants her to admit it because he can’t but feels very guilty. He feels like he’s a hypocrite because
he’s a person of high standing and is supposed to be a moral guide.
 Hester says “I might endure his agony as well as mine.” (Pg.63) Ultimately she says I love you too
much to let you fall. Hester’s punishment won’t changed either way.
 Dimmesdale responds by complimenting her strength and womans heart, He’s afraid to lose everything
he’s worked for.(Pg.63)
4. How is Hester brought into Chillingworth’s revenge scheme?
 Chillingworth asks Hester to make a promise to never reveal that he’s her husband. (Pg.70) “Thou has
kept a secret of thy paramour keep likewise mind.” Needs to remain anonymous to get his revenge. He
claims he’s going to find the adulterer by using logic and reasoning.(Pg.69) “I shall seek this man as I
sought truth in books, as I sought gold in alchemy.” He’s going to use his scientific knowledge to find
the adulterer.
5. Why doesn’t Hester leave Boston?
 Because Dimmesdale is still in Boston. (Pg.72) “There trode the feet of one with whom she deemed
herself connected in a union.” She didn’t want anyone to think she couldn’t handle her punishment. It
shows her strength.
6. Hester acts penitent (remorseful) for what she’s done, but do you think she really is?
 No, she’s defiant. She shows this by not leaving, shows that she could handle the punishment. The
beautiful sewing of the A shows that she still feels love for Dimmesdale and that she doesn’t fully
accept that what she did was truly wrong.
 She pushes the court official and walks out on her own.
 She refuses to give up the adulterer. She mocks the group by refusing to cooperate.
 She sews clothing for the poor but had no real sympathy for them.
7. Is Hester happy to have Pearl? Is she a gift? What concerns Hester about Pearl’s behavior, especially at the end
of chapter 6?
 Because Pearl misbehaves, shows that Hester still hasn’t fully repented.
 “It was her only treasure.”(Pg.80) “How strange indeed.” In a sense, Pearl is supposed to teach Hester
how to be a good person, and a good mother however the Puritans give her the A. The A teachers
others, and she’s used as an example but it doesn’t better her. She becomes an outcast.
 Pearl’s behavior reflects Hester’s disobedient behavior.
 (Pg.88)Pearl says “I have no heavenly father.” She needs to know her earthly father before she can
acknowledge her heavenly father. She must help correct the sins of her parents.